Writing & notes
Trilium
A free note app that stores knowledge in a branching tree
★ 38k
September 2026
AGPL-3.0
Writing & notes
What we checked ourselves
Not copied from the project's own blurb. These are things we opened and verified, with the date.
- 9 Sept 2026We checked that the link to the project still resolves.
- 13 Sept 2026We read the licence text itself (LICENSE). No unusual restrictions were stated.
- 1 Sept 2026We read the project's own documentation and found no sign that development has stopped.
Where this sits among the 52 tools we list in Writing & notes
- Works without using a terminal38 of 52
- No API key required27 of 52
- Keeps your data on your own machine11 of 52
- Commercial use confirmed as allowed39 of 52
Only 5 of the 52 meet all of the conditions above.
Counted from our own checks: every tool we list is examined against the same criteria.
What it does
Organises notes into a nested hierarchy built for large personal knowledge bases. A single note can appear in several places at once, and notes can be linked to each other, which keeps things findable as the collection grows past the point where flat folders stop working. Notes live on your own machine, and you can optionally host it on your own server to read them away from your desk. Desktop apps exist for Windows, macOS and Linux; there is no dedicated phone app.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals
Before you start
- Setup difficultyEasy to start
- Command lineNot required
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineNo
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
Trilium FAQ
- Is Trilium free?
- Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use Trilium?
- You install it like a normal desktop app. No command line involved.
- Does Trilium work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use Trilium commercially?
- The licence is AGPL-3.0. Using it commercially is fine, but if you distribute something built on it you may be required to release that under the same licence. Keep it internal, or check before distributing.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trilium (this page) | Not needed | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| AFFiNE | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Yes |
| note-gen | Not needed | Required | Yes | No | Yes |
| Reor | Not needed | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.